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| Manchester United parade trophy and mark Alex Ferguson's retirement | Manchester United parade trophy and mark Alex Ferguson's retirement |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A victory parade to mark Manchester United's 20th league title and Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement has drawn thousands of fans on to the streets. | |
| Many supporters gathered at the club's Old Trafford stadium as the open-top bus tour got under way. | |
| The parade travelled towards the city centre and arrived at Albert Square, where the bus was greeted by more fans. | |
| Sir Alex, who is retiring at the age of 71 after 26 years in Manchester, has won 38 trophies at Old Trafford. | Sir Alex, who is retiring at the age of 71 after 26 years in Manchester, has won 38 trophies at Old Trafford. |
| Speaking from the bus, the septuagenarian Scotsman thanked fans for their support over the years and for the reception he received at his final home game, United's 2-1 win against Swansea City on Sunday. | |
| He said it had been "a day I will never forget - it was wonderful". | He said it had been "a day I will never forget - it was wonderful". |
| "It was something all my family enjoyed and the grandkids will never forget it." | "It was something all my family enjoyed and the grandkids will never forget it." |
| 'Moment in history' | |
| The bus left the stadium via Sir Matt Busby Way - the road named after another celebrated United manager - at about 18:30 BST. | |
| Fans lined every part of the route from the stadium to the square, with police by 19:00 refusing entry to any more fans after the plaza and the surrounding streets filled to capacity. | |
| Some supporters ignited red flares, several climbed lamp posts for a view of the bus and others were seen leaning from windows and standing on rooftops. | |
| Many people travelled from far and wide to attend the parade, with some coming from as close as Stretford and others from as far away as South Africa. | |
| Famara Bojang from London said he had "come to the parade today as I wanted to be part of this moment in history", while Darren Reid from Barrow-in-Furness said he had been to "every parade since 1999, but I'm obviously here this time to say goodbye to Fergie". | Famara Bojang from London said he had "come to the parade today as I wanted to be part of this moment in history", while Darren Reid from Barrow-in-Furness said he had been to "every parade since 1999, but I'm obviously here this time to say goodbye to Fergie". |
| Ryan Giggs, who has played a part in virtually all of Sir Alex's 38 trophies, said he was happy the manager - who joined the club from Aberdeen in November 1986 - was leaving with another piece of silverware to his name. | |
| He said: "It has been tough, especially for the players who have known him for a long time. We are delighted that we were able to end on a high and won the league in his last season." | |
| During the celebrations in Albert Square, Manchester band The Courteeners played and United defender Rio Ferdinand led the crowd in singing songs about the club's players. |